COMPETITION APPEAL COURT RULES
GNR.857 of 1 September 2000: Rules for the conduct of proceedings in the Competition Appeal Court
REGULATING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPETITION APPEAL COURT
as amended by
Notice Government Gazette
1255 28234 as corrected by
2003 28313
Date
18 November 2005 15 December 2005
In terms of section 38 (1) (c) of the Competition Act, 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998), the Judge President of the
Competition Appeal Court has made the following Rules relating to the functions of the Competition Appeal Court, to
come into operation on 1 September 2000.
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. Short title
2. Interpretation
3. Office hours and address of Court
4. Time limits 5. Registrar
PART 2
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS 6. Delivery of documents
7. Filing documents 8. Service on Commission, Tribunal and Minister
9. Format of Documents and Preparation of the Court Record
10. Fees
PART 3
ACCESS TO COURT RECORDS
11. Identifying confidential information 12. Use of confidential information
13. Access to information
PART 5
THE COURT 14. Sittings
15. Matters before a single judge
PART 5
PROCEDURE ON APPEAL 16. Notice of Appeal
17. Urgent matters
18. Cross appeals
19. Appeal Record 20. Contents of Appeal Record
21. Heads of Argument 22. Hearing date
PART 6
PROCEDURE ON REVIEW 23. Application to review
24. Answer 25. Reply
26. Set down
27. Heads of Argument
PART 9
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(Editorial Note: Numbering as per original Government Gazette.)
28. Amicus curiae submissions
29. Procedure for leave to appeal a decision of the Court
30. Consolidation of Proceedings 31. Representation of parties
32. Court may condone non-compliance with Rules
33. Cost and taxation 34. Conduct of hearings
35. Heads of Argument
36. [deleted] Table 1 Methods and times for delivery of documents
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Division A: Interpretation
1. Short title.-These rules may be cited as the Competition Appeal Court Rules.
2. Interpretation.-(1) A word or expression that is defined in the Act bears the same meaning in these rules
as in the Act.
(2) In these Rules,
(a) a reference to a section by number refers to the corresponding section of the Act;
(b) a reference to a rule by number refers to the corresponding item of these Rules; and
(c) a reference to a sub-rule or paragraph by number refers to the corresponding item of the Rule in
which the reference appears.
(3) In these Rules,
(a) "Act" means the Competition Act, 1998 (Act No. 89 of 1998) as amended;
[Definition of "Act" substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(b) "Answer" means a document as described in Rule 24 and filed by a respondent;
(c) "appellant" means a party who initiates an appeal from a decision of the Tribunal;
"business day" shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or Public holiday and only business
days shall be included in the computation of any time expressed in days prescribed by these rules or
fixed in any order of court or practice directions;
[Definition of "business day" inserted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(Editorial Note: GN 1255 of 2005 does not specify a paragraph reference for the definition of "business day". The
definition has been inserted in alphabetical order as per instructions from the Department of Trade and Industry.)
(d) "Commission" means the body established by section 19;
(e) "Competition Commission Rules" means the rules promulgated in terms of the Act for the regulation
of the Commission;
( f ) "Competition Tribunal Rules" means the rules promulgated in terms of the Act for the regulation of
the Tribunal;
(g) "Court", depending on the context, means either-
(i) the Competition Appeal Court established by section 36;
(ii) a judge of the Court, hearing a matter alone in terms of section 38(2A); or
(iii) the registrar;
(h) "deliver" means to serve and file and "delivery" shall have a corresponding meaning;
[Definition of "deliver" amended by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(i) "Duty Judge" means a judge contemplated in Rule 15;
( j) "file", when used as a verb, means to deposit with the registrar;
(k) "High Court Rules" means the Rules Regulating the Conduct of the Several Provincial and Local Divisions
of the High Court of South Africa, published by Government Notice R48 in Government Gazette 999 of 12 January, 1965, as amended;
(l) "Judge President" means the Judge President of the Court;
(m) "Notice of Appeal" means a document as described in Rule 16;
(n) "Notice of Motion" means a document described in Rule 23;
(o) "party", when used in respect of particular proceedings before the court, means-
(i) the appellant,
(ii) a respondent; or
(iii) in the case of proceedings concerning a merger, the Minister;
(p) "public holiday" means a public holiday referred to in section 1 of the Public Holidays Act, 1994 (Act
36 of 1994);
(q) "registrar" means the officer of the Court appointed in terms of Rule 5, and includes any acting or
assistant registrar;
(r) "respondent" means a party against whom the relief is sought;
(s) "Rule" includes any Table attached as an annexure, and referred to in a rule;
(t) "serve" means to serve in accordance with Rule 6, and "service" has a corresponding meaning; and
[Definition of "serve" substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(u) "Tribunal", depending on the context, means either-
(i) the body established by section 26;
(ii) a panel convened in terms of section 31 (1); or
(iii) a member of the Tribunal sitting in terms of section 31 (5); or
(iii) the registrar of the Tribunal.
[Definition of "Tribunal" substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
Division B: Court Office Functions
3. Office hours and address of Court.-(1) The Offices of the registrar of the Court are open to the public
every Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, from 08h30 to 13:00 and from 13h30 to 15h30.
(2) Despite sub-paragraph (1)-
(a) in exceptional circumstances the registrar may accept documents for filing on any day and at any
time; and
(b) the registrar must accept documents for filing as directed by either the Judge-President or a member
of the court assigned by the Judge-President.
(3) Subject to Rule 6 and 7, any communication to the Court or to the registrar may be-
(a) Delivered by hand at:
3rd Floor, Mulayo, the dti campus, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria
[Para. (a) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(b) Addressed by post to:
Private Bag X28, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040
[Para. (b) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(c) Transmitted by Fax on 012 394 0169
[Para. (c) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(d) Communicated by telephone on 012 394 3354
[Para. (d) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(e) Transmitted by electronic mail to:
[Para. (e) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
4. Condonation of Time Limits.-On good cause shown, the court may condone late performance of an act in
respect of which these rules prescribe a time limit.
[R. 4 substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
5. Registrar.-The Judge President must appoint a suitably qualified person to act as registrar of the Court,
with the authority to carry out the functions of that office in terms of these Rules.
PART 2
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
6. Delivery of documents.-(1) A notice or document may be delivered in any manner permitted in accorance
with Table 1.
[Sub-r. (1) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(2) Subject to sub-rule (4), a document delivered by a method listed in the second column of Table 1 will be
deemed to have been delivered to the intended recipient on the date and at the time shown opposite that method,
in the third column of that Table.
(3) If, in a particular matter, it proves impossible to deliver a document in any manner provided for in these
Rules, the person concerned may apply to the Court for an order of substituted service.
(4) Subject to Rule 3 (2), if a document referred to in Table 1 is delivered on a date or at a time that is
outside of the office hours of the registrar as set out in Rule 3 (1), that document will be deemed to have been
delivered on the next business day.
[Sub-r. (4) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(5) A document that is delivered by fax must include a cover page, and a document that is transmitted by
electronic mail must accompany a cover message, in either case setting out-
(a) The name, address and telephone number of the sender;
(b) The name of the person to whom it is addressed, and the name of that person's representative, if it
is being sent to the representative of a person;
(c) The date and time of the transmission;
(d) The total number of pages sent, including the cover page; and
(e) The name and telephone number of the person to contact if the transmission appears to be
incomplete or otherwise unsuccessful.
7. Filing documents.-(1) The registrar must assign distinctive case numbers to each proceeding commenced
before the Court.
(2) A party intending to note an appeal or request a review must-
(a) first obtain a case number from the registrar; and
(b) note the case number on the Notice of Appeal or Notice of Motion before delivering it in terms of
these Rules.
(3) The registrar may combine two or more proceedings under a common file if they concern substantially the
same matter.
(4) The registrar must ensure that every document filed in respect of the same proceedings is marked with
the same case number.
(5) The registrar may refuse to accept for filing a document that is not properly marked with the assigned
case number.
(6) The registrar may require, and must allow, a person to correct any technical error or defect in any
document filed by that person.
(7) If a person refuses to correct any document after being required to do so by the registrar, the registrar
must refer the document to the Duty Judge for direction.
(8) A person who files any document in terms of the Act or these Rules must:
(a) provide to the registrar, in writing on the face of the document or on a separate filing sheet, that
person's-
(i) legal name;
(ii) address for service;
(iii) telephone number;
(iv) if available, e-mail address and fax number; and
(v) if that person is not an individual, the name and contact details of the individual authorised to
deal with the Court on behalf of the person filing the document; and
(b) if the person filing the document does so as a representative of another person, such person must
comply with Rule 31.
[Sub-r. (8) inserted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
8. Service on Commission, Tribunal and Minister.-(1) A person filing a document in any proceedings must
serve a copy of the document on the Commission and the Tribunal.
(2) The party filing a document in any proceedings in terms of Chapter Three of the Act must serve a copy of
the document on the Minister.
(3) The Minister has the rights of a respondent in any proceedings in terms of Chapter Three of the Act.
9. Format of Documents and Preparation of the Court Record.-(1) Every document filed in terms of the Act
or these Rules must:
(a) be typed or legibly written on white paper of A4 size. Typed documents shall be printed in a clear font
of not less than 12 point on one side of the paper only and shall be double spaced. Documents filed by legal practitioners must, however, be typed;
(b) have a margin of at least 35 mm on the left side to facilitate binding. No notes, signatures, initials,
stamps or other matter shall be placed in the binding margin;
(c) if smaller than A4 size, and intended to be placed before the Court, be affixed to a sheet of A4 paper;
(d) if larger than A4 size, be folded to A4 size to facilitate binding of the Court record;
(e) the registrar may refuse to accept for filing any document that does not comply with the requirements
of this sub-rule.
(2) The attorney acting for an applicant (or similar party initiating the proceedings), shall, before applying for
a date of hearing, collate, number consecutively and suitable bind all the documents delivered and forming the
Court record and shall deliver a complete index thereof as also an index to each separate bound volume. On a date
between 10 and 15 business days before the hearing, the aforesaid attorney shall ensure that the record to be
used by each Judge hearing the matter is complete and fully indexed. The aforesaid attorney shall, not later than 5
business days before the hearing, file a certificate confirming that the above matters have been attended to.
(3) Whenever practical, the attorney acting for an applicant (or similar party initiating the proceedings) shall
in consultation with the attorneys for all other represented parties and with unrepresented parties, prepared a
separate bundle of essential core documents and/or a list of any pages in the record that the parties agree need
not be read by the Court prior to the hearing. The essential core documents and/or aforesaid list shall be filed not
less than 30 business days before the hearing.
[R. 9 substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
10. Fees.-(1) No fee is payable for filing a document.
(2) The registrar may charge a fee of R1,00 per A4-size page or part thereof to any person wishing to copy a
record in the possession of the Court and R2,00 each for the registrar's certificate on certified copies of documents.
PART 3
ACCESS TO COURT RECORDS
11. Identifying confidential information.-When a party files a document, that party must identify to the
registrar any included information-
(a) in respect of which a claim of confidentiality was made in terms of the Competition Commission Rules
or the Competition Tribunal Rules, that has not yet been determined by the Tribunal; or
(b) that has been finally determined to be confidential information.
12. Use of confidential information.-(1) From the time information comes into the possession of the Court,
until a final determination has been made concerning it, the registrar must treat as confidential information-
(a) any information that has been determined to be confidential information; and
(b) any information that has been identified as being subject to a claim that it is confidential.
(2) Once a final determination has been made concerning any information, it is confidential only to the extent
it has been held to be confidential information by the Court or the Tribunal.
13. Access to information.-(1) Any person may inspect, or upon payment of the prescribed fee, may copy,
any record of the Court's proceedings-
(a) if it is not confidential information; or
(b) if it is confidential information, to the extent permitted, and subject to any conditions imposed, by
(i) this Rule; or
(ii) an order of the Court, or the Tribunal, as the case may be.
(2) In addition to the provisions of sub-rule (1) and subject to the terms of any order or determination, the
registrar may release confidential information to, or permit access to it by, only the following persons:
(a) the person who provided that information to the Court, the Tribunal, or the Commission, as the case
may be;
(b) the firm to whom the confidential information belongs;
(c) a person who requires it for a purpose mentioned in section 69(2)(a) or (b);
(d) a person mentioned in section 69(2)(c); or
(e) The Minister, if the information concerns a merger.
[Sub-r. (2) amended by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(3) A party wishing to refer to confidential information must apply to the Duty Judge for directions as to
whether that information may be disclosed in documents to be filed with the registrar.
(4) The Duty Judge may give directions to protect confidential information, including ordering that a relevant
affidavit, document or heads of argument be filed under a separate cover and sealed by the registrar.
(5) The registrar shall allow a person to inspect a document filed under seal subject to the terms of any
order or if the Judge President has given written permission for such person to inspect the document.
[Sub-r. (5) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
PART 4
THE COURT
14. Sittings.-(1) The Court will sit at a venue to be determined by the Judge President from time to time.
(2) At any time at least one Duty Judge will be available to perform the duties that the Judge President
directs, including hearings in terms of section 38 (2A) of the Act. Whenever a Duty Judge has not been appointed,
the Judge President or the next most senior available Judge will be deemed to be the Duty Judge.
[R. 14 substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
15. Matters before a single judge.-(1) Each matter to be heard before a single judge in terms of Rule 14(3),
when set down for hearing, will be entered in the registry in a list, and the applicant-
(a) may be set down on a date determined by the registrar after consultation with the Judge President o
the Duty Judge; and
[Para. (a) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(b) must, so far as is practical, indicate whether it is of a time-consuming or contentious nature.
(2) An application will be heard in a place open to the public, unless the court, in the case of a particular
application, directs that for special reasons the application ought to be dealt with in private.
(3) On an application the Duty Judge may-
(a) grant or refuse the relief claimed in whole or in part, or dispose of any question arising on the
application; and
(b) adjourn the application from time to time, either to a particular date or generally.
(4) If on the hearing of an application the court is of the opinion that a person to whom notice has not been
given ought to have had notice, the court may either dismiss the application or adjourn the hearing.
(5) . . . . . .
[Sub-r. (5) deleted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
PART 5
PROCEDURE ON APPEAL
16. Notice of Appeal.-(1) A person who has a right of appeal to the Court may file a Notice of Appeal, which
must satisfy the requirements of sub-rule (3),-
(a) within the time, if any, prescribed by the Act or the Competition Tribunal Rules, within 15 business
days after the date of the decision or order that is the subject to the appeal;
(b) if no time is prescribed by the Act or the Competition Tribunal Rules, within 15 business days after the
date of the decision or order that is the subject of the appeal.
(2) A copy of the Notice of Appeal must be delivered to any person who was a party to the matter before the
Tribunal.
(3) A Notice of Appeal-
(a) must identify the decision appealed against;
(b) must state whether the whole or only part of the decision is the subject of the appeal;
(c) if only part of the decision is appealed against, must state which part is the subject of the appeal and
specify the finding of fact or ruling of law that is the subject of the appeal;
(d) must set out the grounds on which the appeal is founded; and
(e) must state the relief sought.
17. Urgent matters.-(1) Any party to an appeal or any application may address a request to the Court to
expedite the hearing of the matter. Such request shall contain full reasons therefor and be delivered to all other
parties.
(2) A request in terms of sub-rule (1) will be decided by the Judge President or, in his absence, by the Duty
Judge.
(3) Upon determining a request in terms of sub-rule (1), the Judge President or Duty Judge may give
directions for the expeditious hearing of the appeal or application.
[R. 17 substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
18. Cross appeals.-A respondent who wishes to cross-appeal must deliver a Notice of Cross-Appeal, which
must satisfy the requirements of Rule 16, read with the changes required by the context, within ten business days
after receiving a Notice of Appeal from the appellant.
19. Appeal Record.-(1) Within 40 business days after filing a Notice of Appeal, the appellant must-
(a) serve on the Commission and on each respondent a copy of the record of the proceedings in the
Tribunal; and
(b) file with the registrar four copies of that record, one of which must be certified by the registrar of the
Tribunal.
(2) An appellant may apply to the Judge President for an order to extend the time of delivery of the Appeal
Record, if-
(a) the Appellant has requested the respondent to consent to an extension; and
(b) the respondent has refused that request.
[Sub-r. (2) amended by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(3) An appellant who fails to deliver the Appeal Record as required by this Rule will be deemed to have
withdrawn the appeal, unless, within the prescribed period the appellant has either-
(a) filed the respondent's consent to extend the time; or
(b) served on the respondent an order granted in terms of sub-rule (2) extending the time for delivery of
the Appeal Record.
[Sub-r. (3) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(4) If an appellant has withdrawn the appeal, or, in terms of sub-rule (3), is deemed to have withdrawn the
appeal, any respondent who has noted a Cross-Appeal may, within ten business days of the date on which a notice
of withdrawal is delivered by the appellant or the date on which the appellant is deemed to have withdrawn the
appeal, deliver a notice of intention to prosecute the cross-appeal.
(5) A respondent who has delivered a notice in terms of sub-rule (4)-
(a) is, for the purposes of sub-rule (1), deemed to be the appellant; and
(b) must deliver the Appeal Record within 40 business days after the date on which the appellant
withdrew the appeal, or on which the appeal was deemed to have been withdrawn.
[Sub-r. (5) amended by GN 1255 of 2005. Para. (b) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
20. Contents of Appeal Record.-(1) Every copy of the Appeal Record must-
(a) be clearly typed or printed in double spacing on A4 standard paper;
(b) be paginated;
(c) be numbered on every tenth line, beginning the numbering afresh on each page;
(d) be securely bound in suitable covers disclosing the names of the parties and the names of the
representatives of the parties;
(e) be divided into separate conveniently-sized volumes;
( f ) include the decision and written reasons given by the Tribunal;
(g) contain a correct and complete index of the evidence and of all the documents and exhibits in the
case, the nature of the exhibits being briefly stated in the index; and
(h) contain only those documents that were referred to in the Tribunal proceedings.
(2) The Appeal Record must not include-
(a) more than one copy of a document; or
(b) any of the following procedural documents, unless they affect the merits of the appeal:
(i) Copies of subpoenas.
(ii) Notices of hearing.
(iii) Consents to postponement.
(iv) Schedules of documents.
(v) Notices to produce or permit inspection.
(vi) Other documents of a formal nature.
(vii) Opening addresses.
(viii) The record of oral argument.
(ix) Heads of argument before the Commission and/or the Tribunal.
[Sub-para. (ix) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(3) The Appeal Record must include a statement listing any documents referred to in sub-rule (2) that are
excluded from the Appeal Record.
(4) The documents that were referred to in the Tribunal proceedings must be arranged in chronological
order.
(5) The record of the evidence of any witness must contain references to the bundle of documents in the
Tribunal and to contained in the Appeal Record.
(6) The costs of preparing copies of the Appeal Record are part of the costs of appeal.
(7) The registrar may refuse to accept an Appeal record that does not, in the registrar's opinion, comply with
the provisions of this Rule.
21. Heads of Argument.-(1) The appellant must file four copies of the heads of arguments not later than-
(a) fifteen business days before the hearing; or
(b) any earlier date determined by the Judge President.
(2) The respondent must file four copies of the heads of argument not later than-
(a) ten business days before the hearing; or
(b) any earlier date that may be determined by the Judge President.
(3) The heads of argument of the applicant and the respondent must each include-
(a) a summary of the main contentions on matters of fact and/or law;
(b) a chronology of the material facts; and
(c) a list of the authorities referred to in the heads of argument.
22. Hearing date.-The registrar must notify the parties of the date, time and place for the hearing.
PART 6
PROCEDURE ON REVIEW
23. Application to review.-(1) An application to review a decision of the Tribunal must be brought within the
time period set out in sub-rule (2), by Notice of Motion, which must satisfy the requirements of sub-rules (4) and (5).
(2) An application in terms of sub-rule (1) must be brought-
(a) within the time, if any, prescribed by the Act or the Competition Tribunal Rules; or
(b) if no time is prescribed by the Act or the Competition Tribunal Rules, within 15 business days after the
date of the decision or order that is the subject of the review.
(3) A copy of the Notice of Motion must be served on any person who was a party to the matter before the
Tribunal.
(4) An application must contain the following information:
(a) The title of the matter.
(b) The case number assigned by the registrar of the Court to the matter.
(c) The relief sought.
(d) A notice requiring the Tribunal to provide a written record of the proceedings, and the reasons for the
decision, within fifteen business days of delivery of the application.
(e) An address of the party delivering the document at which that party will accept notices and service of
all documents in the proceedings.
( f ) A notice advising the other party that-
(i) if it intends opposing the matter, that party must deliver an answering affidavit within fifteen
business days after the application has been served, and
[Para. ( f ) amended by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(ii) that if the party fails to do so, the matter may be heard in the party's absence and an order of
costs may be made.
(g) A schedule listing the documents that are material and relevant to the application.
(5) An application must be supported by affidavit, which must clearly and concisely set out-
(a) the names, description and addresses of the parties;
(b) a statement in chronological order of the material facts on which the application is based, with
sufficient detail to enable a person opposing the application to reply to the document; and
(c) a statement of the legal issues that arise from the material facts, with sufficient detail to enable a
party to reply to the document.
(6) Within ten business days after the Tribunal has made the record available, the applicant may amend, add
to or vary the terms of the application, or supplement the supporting affidavit.
(7) Rule 17, read with the changes required by the context, applies to an application.
(8) Rule 20, read with the changes required by the context, applies to the record.
24. Answer.-(1) The Commission, Tribunal or any party wishing to oppose an application may deliver an
Answer and supporting affidavit within fifteen business days after receiving the application or amended application.
(2) An answer must include the address at which that party will accept notices and service of all documents
in the proceedings.
(3) An answering affidavit must contain the following information:
(a) A statement of the material facts, in chronological order, on which the opposition to the application is
based. The statement of facts must be sufficiently particular to enable the applicant to reply to the document.
(b) A statement of the local issues that arise from the material facts. The statement of legal issues must
be sufficiently particular to enable the applicant to reply to the document.
(4) If a party fails to file an Answer as provided for in this Rule, the matter may be heard in that party's
absence and an order of costs may be made.
25. Reply.-(1) If an Answer raises new issues of fact or law, the applicant may deliver a replying affidavit
within five business days after the date on which the answer is filed.
26. Set down.-(1) The registrar must allocate a date for the hearing of an application once a replying affidavit
is delivered, or once the time limit for delivering a replying affidavit has lapsed, whichever occurs first.
(2) The registrar must notify the parties of the date, time and place for the hearing of the application.
27. Heads of Argument.-Rule 21, read with the changes required by the context, applies to the heads of
argument in an application.
PART 9
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(Editorial Note: Numbering as per original Government Gazette.)
28. Amicus curiae submissions.-Rule 16 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Appeal, read with the changes
required by the context, apply to proceedings before the Court, except that a reference in that Rule to the Chief
Justice must be read as a reference to the Judge President.
29. Procedure for leave to appeal a decision of the Court.-(1) An application for leave or special leave to
appeal to the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court of Appeal from a decision of the court-
(a) may be-
(i) made before the Court when the decision is handed down, stating the grounds for the proposed
appeal; or
(ii) brought on notice stating the grounds for the proposed appeal, within ten business days of the
decision that is the subject of the proposed appeal; and
(b) if brought on notice, be delivered to the registrar and to all parties to the proceedings.
(2) The Judge President may, on good cause, extend the period within which a notice of appeal is to be
delivered.
(3) An application for leave to appeal must be considered by all the Judges who sat at the hearing when the
decision was made.
(4) The judge or judges considering an application under this rule may require oral argument at a time and
place of which the registrar will give notice to all the parties.
(5) After considering the application, the judge or judges may grant or refuse the application.
[R. 29 inserted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
30. Consolidation of Proceedings.-(1) The Judge President may make an order consolidating any separate
proceedings pending before the court if it is expedient and just to do so.
(2) The Judge President may make an order referred to in sub-rule (1) on application by any interested party,
or on the motion of the Court.
31. Representation of parties.-(1) A person who represents a party in any proceedings must notify the
registrar and all other parties, advising them of the following particulars:
(a) The representative's name;
(b) The representative's postal address and place of employment or business; and
(c) The representative's fax and telephone numbers, if available.
(2) A party who terminates a representative's authority to act, and then acts in person or appoints another
representative, must give notice to the registrar and all other parties concerned of that termination, and of the
appointment of any other representative, and include the particulars referred to in sub-rule (1) (a)-(c).
(3) Upon filing a notice in terms of sub-rule (1) or (2), the address of the representative or the party, as the
case may be, will become the address for notice to, or service of documents on, the relevant party.
(4) A representative who ceases to act for a party must deliver a notice to that effect to the registrar, that
party and to all other parties concerned.
(5) Upon filing a notice referred to in sub-rule (4), the address of the party formerly represented becomes
the address for notices to and for service on that party, until a new address is notified in terms of sub-rule (1).
(6) Despite sub-rule (3), if, before receiving a notice referred to in this section, a person sends a notice to, or
serves a document on, a party at that party's former address for service, that person will have validly sent the
notice or served the document as the case may be, unless the Court orders otherwise.
32. Court may condone non-compliance with Rules.-The Court may, for sufficient cause shown,
(a) excuse the parties from compliance with any of these rules; or
(b) condone any technical irregularity arising in any of its proceedings.
33. Cost and taxation.-(1) If the Court has made an award of costs, the following provisions apply:
(a) The fees of one advocate and one attorney may be allowed between party and party, unless the
Court, on application authorises the fees of additional advocates and attorneys.
(b) The fees of each additional advocate or attorney authorised in terms of paragraph (a) must not
exceed half of those of the first advocate or attorney unless the court directs otherwise.
[Para. (b) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(c) The cost between party and party allowed in terms of an order of the Court, or any agreement
between the parties, must be calculated and taxed by the taxing master at the tariff determined by
the order or agreement, but if no tariff has been determined, the tariff applicable in a provincial division of the High Court will apply.
[Para. (c) amended by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(d) Qualifying fees for expert witnesses may not be recovered as costs between party and party unless
otherwise directed by the Court during the proceedings.
(2) The registrar and/or any other person who in the opinion of the Judge President is fit to perform the
functions and duties assigned to and imposed on a taxing master by these rules, shall perform the functions and
duties of a taxing master.
[Sub-r. (2) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
(3) The taxing master is empowered to tax any bill of costs for services actually rendered in connection with
proceedings in the court.
(4) At the taxation of any bill of costs, the taxing master may call for any book, document, paper or account
that in the taxing master's opinion is necessary to determine properly any matter arising from the taxation.
(5) The taxation master must not proceed to the taxation of any bill of cost unless the taxing master has
been satisfied by the party requesting the taxation (if that party is not the party liable to pay the bill) that the party
liable to pay the bill has received due notice as to the time and place of the taxation and of that party's entitlement
to be present at the taxation.
(6) Despite sub-rule (5), notice need not be given to a party-
(a) who failed to appear at the hearing either in person or through a representative; or
(b) who consented in writing to the taxation taking place in that party's absence.
(7) (a) The provision of Uniform Rule 48 made pursuant to the provisions of section 43 (2) of the Supreme
Court Act No. 59 of 1959 and applicable in the various divisions of the High Court shall apply.
(b)
President. The "judge" referred to in Uniform Rule 48 shall be a Judge of this Court appointed by the Judge
[Sub-r. (7) substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
34. Conduct of hearings.-(1) The Judge President may give any directions that are considered just and
expedient in matters of practice and procedure.
(2) If, in the course of proceedings, a person is uncertain as to the practice and procedure to be followed,
the presiding judge-
(a) may give directions on how to proceed; and
(b) for that purpose, if a question arises as to the practice or procedure to be followed in cases not
provided for by these Rules or by a direction of the Judge President in terms of sub-rule (1), the judge
may have regard to the High Court Rules or the Rules of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
(3) If a matter is not disposed of on the return date, the parties must, from time to time, attend at the
appointed time for the matter to continue, without further notice.
35. Heads of Argument.-(1) In all matters not dealt with in Rules 21 and 27 which are to be argued before
the Court or a single Judge, heads of argument shall be filed-
(a) by the applicant or party initiating the hearing not later than-
(i) fifteen business days before the hearing; or
(ii) any earlier or later date determined by the Judge President or Duty Judge;
(b) by the respondent or party opposing or intervening not later than-
(i) fifteen business days before the hearing; or
(ii) any earlier or later date determined by the Judge President or Duty Judge;
(c) The number of copies of the heads of argument which must be filed shall be one more than the
number of Judges who are to hear the matter.
[R. 35 substituted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
36. . . . . . .
[R. 36 deleted by GN 1255 of 2005.]
Annexure 1
Table 1 METHODS AND TIMES FOR DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
Nature of person
Method of delivery
Date and time of deemed
delivery
Any person (other than
the court)
By faxing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to the person, if the person
has a fax number; or
On the date and at the time
recorded by the fax received,
unless there is conclusive
evidence that it was delivered
on a different date or at a
different time.
By sending the notice or a
copy of the document by
electronic mail, if the person
has an address for receiving
electronic mail; or
On the date and at the time
recorded by the computer
used by the sender, unless
there is conclusive evidence
that it was delivered on a
different date or at a different
time.
By sending the notice or a
certified copy of the document
by registered post to the
person's last-known address;
or
On the 7th day following the
day on which the notice or
document was posted as
recorded by a post office,
unless there is conclusive
evidence that it was delivered
on a different day.
If the person is a participant
in any proceedings of the
Court, and is represented by
a representative, by
delivering the notice, or
handing a certified copy of the
document to that
representative; or
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
By any other means
authorised by the High Court;
or
In accordance with the order
of the High Court.
By any other method allowed
for that person in terms of the
following rows of this Table.
As provided for that method
of delivery.
Any natural person
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to the person, or to any
representative authorised in
writing to accept service on
behalf of the person; or
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
By leaving the notice or a
certified copy of the document
at the person's place of
residence or business with
any other person who is
apparently at least 16 years
old and charge of the
premises at the time; or
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
By leaving the notice or a
certified copy of the document
at the person's place of
employment with any person
who is apparently at least 16
years old and apparently in
authority.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
The tribunal
By entering the required
information in an electronic
representation of that form on
the Internet Web site, if any,
maintained by the Tribunal, if
the document is a prescribed
form; or
On the date and at the time
recorded by the Tribunal's
computer system, as verified
by fax reply to the sender of
the information.
By transmitting the document
as a separate file attached to
an electronic mail message
addressed to the registrar of
the Tribunal; or
On the date and at the time
recorded by the Tribunal's
computer system, unless,
within 1 business day after
that date, the registrar
advises the sender that the
file is unreadable.
By sending a computer disk
containing the document in
electronic form, by registered
post addressed to the
registrar of the Tribunal; or
On the date and at the time of
delivery of the registered post
to the registrar of the
Tribunal, as recorded by the
post office, unless, within 1
business day after that date,
the registrar advises the
sender that the disk is
unreadable.
By handing the document, or
a computer disk containing
the document in electronic
form, to the registrar of the
Tribunal.
On the date and at the time
noted in a receipt issued by
the registrar of the Tribunal
unless, the document is on a
computer disk, and, within 1
business day after that date,
the registrar advises the
sender that the disk is
unreadable.
The commission
By entering the required
information in an electronic
representation of that form on
the Internet Web site, if any,
maintained by the
Commission, if the document
is a prescribed form; or
On the date and at the time
recorded by the
Commission's computer
system, as verified by fax
reply to the sender of the
information.
On the date and at the time
By transmitting the document
as a separate file attached to
an electronic mail message
addressed to the
Commission; or
recorded by the
Commission's computer
system, unless, within 1
business day after that date,
the Commission advises the
sender that the file is
unreadable.
By sending a computer disk
containing the document in
electronic form, by registered
post addressed to the
Commission; or
On the date and at the time of
delivery of the registered post
to the Commission, as
recorded by the post office,
unless, within 1 business day
after that date, the
Commission advises the
sender that the disk is
unreadable.
By handing the document, or
a computer disk containing
the document in electronic
form, to the Commission, or a
responsible employee who is
apparently in charge of the
Commission's office.
On the date and at the time
noted in a receipt issued by
the Commission unless, the
document is on a computer
disk, and, within 1 business
day after that date, the
Commission advises the
sender that the disk is
unreadable.
The court
By handing the document to
the Registrar of the Court.
On the date and time noted
by the Registrar.
A company or similar
body corporate
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to a responsible employee of
the company or body
corporate at its registered
office or its principal place of
business within the Republic;
or
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
If there is no employee willing
to accept service, by affixing
the notice or a certified copy
of the document to the main
door of the office or place of
business.
On the date and at the time
sworn to by affidavit of the
person who affixed the
document, unless there is
conclusive evidence that the
document was affixed on a
different date or at a different
time.
A trade union
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to a responsible employee
who is apparently in charge of
the main office of the union or
for the purposes of section
13(2), if there is a union office
within the magisterial district
of the firm required to notify
its employees in terms of
these Rules, at that office.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
If there is no person willing to
accept service, by affixing a
certified copy of the notice or
document to the main door of
that office.
On the date and at the time
sworn to by affidavit of the
person who affixed he
document, unless there is
conclusive evidence that the
document was affixed an a
different date or at a different
time.
Employees of firm
By fixing the notice or
certified copy of the
document, in a prominent
place in the workplace where
it can be easily read by
employees.
On the date and at the time
sworn to by affidavit of the
person who affixed the
document, unless there is
conclusive evidence that the
document was affixed on a
different date or at a different
time.
A partnership, firm or
association
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to a person who is apparently
in charge of the premises and
apparently at least 16 years
of age, at the place of
business of the partnership,
firm or association; or
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
If the partnership, firm or
association has no place of
business, by handing the
notice or a certified copy of
the document to a partner,
the owner of the firm, or the
chairman or secretary of the
managing or other controlling
body of the association, as
the case may be.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
A municipality
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to the town clerk, assistant
town clerk or any person
acting on behalf of that
person.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
A statutory body other
than the commission
and tribunal
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to the secretary or similar
officer or member of the
board or committee of that
body, or any person acting on
behalf of that body.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.
The state or a province
By handing the notice or a
certified copy of the document
to a responsible employee in
any office of the State
Attorney.
On the date and at the time
recorded on a receipt for the
delivery.